Safety razor



J. D. vKARLE April 13, 1937.

SAFETY RAZOR Filed March 2l, 1932 Jolziz [Carle fluor/swg Patented Apr. 13,1193? UNITED ls'rArss ATENT ore-FICE 17 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in safety-razors and has for its primary object to provide improved means for compactly assembling as a unit the several members of a safety-razor for greater convenience of transportation and storage.

A further object of the invention is to retain in the improved safety-razor the characteristic blade-clamping features, the general appearance and the sanitary advantages of the commercially well known and approved Gillette type of safety-razor.

Other and more specific objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description and claims.

To the attainment of the objects of the invention, the present improvement in its preferred embodiment comprehends the employment of a detachable connection-element between the razor-head and handle, serving for clamping the blade in the razor-head in the usual manner and for securing the handle to the razor-head in angularly different positions of the handle.

In the accompanying drawing, Fig. 1 is a side view, partly in section, of a safety-razor including a preferred form of key-nut co-nnection between the razor-head and handle, in the operative position of the latter. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the handle of the razor shown in Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the preferred keynut. Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the razor-head, with the handle shown in full lines secured tothe razor-head at a right-angle to the operative position thereof illustrated in dotted lines. Figs.

5 and 6 are views illustrating a modified arrangement according to which the key-nut is provided with a lock-pin and the handle is correspondingly slotted. Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the keynut and partly of the handle illustrating a further modiiication according to which the key-nut and handle are correspondingly squared. Fig. 8 is a section substantially on the line 8 6 of Fig. 7. Fig 9 is an end view of the key-nut as viewed from the right in Fig. '7. Figs. 10 and 11 are perspective views illustrating still further modications according to which the head of the key-nut is slabbed and the end of the handle is correspondingly recessed. Fig. 12 is a side View of a collapsible handle provided with a key-nut arrangement as illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawing.

Fig. 13 is a longitudinal section of the handle illustrated in Fig. 12.

Referring to the drawing, the present invention is illustrated as embodied in a Gillette safety-razor having the usual separable elements including a handle I and a razor-head comprising a segmental blade-clamping member 2, a blade 3 and a combination blade-clamping and .guard-member 4. The yclamping-member 2 has the usual threaded stud-5 projecting integrally therefrom, saidstud in the assembled condition of the razor-head elements extending through suitable apertures in the blade and the guardmember.

In the commercial type of razor before referred to, the handle is adapted to be threaded upon the stud 5, the end of the handle engaging the guard-member 4 to thereby securely clamp the several razor-head elements in operative relationship. Conversely, when the handle is unthreaded from the stud 5, the several elements of the razor are free to be separated. It is preferred to retain this simple and characteristic feature of Gillette safety-razors in the present improvement, with additional features providing for readily detaching the handle from the razorhead in the clamped condition of the razor-head Velements and for thereafter re-attaching said handle to the razor-head in a more compact disposition'of the handle better adapted for 'transportation and storagel of the outt as an "aslsembled unit.

For this purpose, there is substituted for the` usual threaded end of the handle a detachable connection-element, herein termed a key-nut 6, preferably having at one end an external flange or head 'I, and provided longitudinally thereof with a threaded aperture 8 for receiving the stud 5. Inthe construction illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 of the drawing, the key-nut t is of cylindrical form and has a substantially diametrical slot 9 in its end Opposite to the flanged end thereof, said key-nut being preferably hardened and tempered whereby the slotted ends thereof have resilient characteristics.

As herein illustrated, the handle I is made into cylindrical form of drawn sheet metal which may be suitably knurled, one end of the handle having a peripherally knurled cap I0. The opposite end of the handle is reduced in size to provide a bore closely embracing the key-nut 6, said reduced end of the handle being provided with a key-pin II intersecting said handle bore and adapted toenter the key-nut slot 9. Substantially midway between its ends the handle I is providedwith a bushing I2 apertured transversely of the length of the handleto provide a bore corresponding to the bore of the reduced end of the handle I, i.'e., to fit closely upon the key-nut 6.

The simplicity of the described arrangement lends itself to a ready comprehension of its functions and efficacy. The `razor-head parts may be initially assembled for shaving as heretofore. The key-nut 6 is thereupon threaded upon the stud 5 and the handle I is endwise frictionally fitted upon the key-nut with the pin II entering the slot 9. By now rotating the handle about its longitudinal axis, the nut 6 is also rotated by reason of the pin I I connection therewith, whereby said nut may be brought into engagement with withdrawal of said handle endwise from the keyq nut 6, whereupon the handle may be applied sidel wise upon said key-nut by frictionally tting the handle-bushing I2 thereupon, as illustrated in.`

full lines in Fig. 4 of the drawing. Itrwill be noted that the handle is now compactly disposed substantially parallel with the length of` the razor-head, with all of the razor-head parts secured against inadvertent separation while changing the position of the handle, thus providing for conveniently storing or transporting the razor and for subsequently using the razor without anytime-wasting effort to search for and reassemble all of theindividual parts thereof. It will be understood, of course, that when the handle I is operatively applied: tothe razor-head, as illustrated in Fig; 1, it maybe rotated in a direction-to unelamp and entirely'separate the razor-head parts with the key-nut frictionally retained by the handleafter detaching the handle from the razor-head; In other'words, the handle' I and key-nut 6 may be left associated as a handle unit` and employed precisely as is the handle of the priorcommercially used outt, so that the user of the improved razor need not in any way change his shaving habits.

Itis obvious, of course, thatvarious modifications of the above. specifically described construction may be made all within the spirit and scopeof the` invention. For instance, in a modification as illustrated in Figs. 5v and 6 of the Y drawing, there is provided a key-nut I3 of cylin- 40 drical form..having a ilanged `head I4A and a threaded` aperture I5 to receive the clampingmember stud 5, as before. However, in this modiflcation itis the key-nut I3 which carries a keypin I6 having its ends projecting from diamet- 5 rically opposite sides of the key-nut to enter slots I1 in the handle I8. In this form of construction, the slotted-handle affords `the requisite fricrtional -grip upon the key-nut so that the latter .50 need not be slotted for this purpose.

Obviously, thefkey-nut I3r mightv beV otherwise provided with a projecting nub or nubs tofunction in the same manner, or the pin may be so arranged thatonly one end thereof projects from 55 the key-stud. The handle I8 isprovided intermediate the ends thereof with a bushing I9disposed transversely of the` length of the handle, said bushinghaving diametrically opposed and i parallel. grooves 20 in its inner faceto receive the 60 projecting endsof the key-nut pin I6 when., the handle is applied sidewise upon` said key-nut.

A further modicationis. illustrated in Figs. 7, 8 and 9 of the drawing, according to which a key-nut 2| has aA squared shank 22. of which the edges are preferably rounded. The mating end of a handle 23- isoorrespondingly squaredto obtain theA desired nut-rotating key eiect'. In this formof construction it is preferred to provide the im requisite frictional engagement between the handle and nut by splitting the nut, as illustrated, and slightly spreading the segments thus formed. 'I'he handle 23 may be provided with a cylindri- 'cal bushing 24 as in` Fig. l, which bushing may 75 be readily iitted upon the squared shank 22 of the key-nut by reason of the rounded edges thereof.

In a still further modification, the flanged end 25 of a key-nut 26 is rslabbed to provide opposed key-faces 2 1 adapted to be-engaged by parallel walls 28formed in a tubular handle 29 by suitably notching the reduced end thereof.

In Figs. 12 and 13 of the drawing, there is illustrated a telescopically collapsible handle provided with the key-nut arrangement of Fig. 1, al-

though any. other selected form of key-nut device may be employed therewith. In this construction, atubular outer handle-member 30 telescopically receives an inner handle-member 3I provided`with one or more longitudinal slots 32 to form resilient segments adapted to frictionally engage the outer member 30 for the purpose of retaining any extended or collapsed relationship of said members. Fixed in the inner handle member is a diametrically disposed bushing 33 projecting slightly beyond the outer face ofthe inner'handle-member to slidingly enter parallel slots34, formed in the outer handle-member and terminating within the ends thereof. The ends of the'slots34 therebyk serve to limit the relative endwise movement of the. handle-members and the bushing 33 secures said members against relativerotation. When the collapsibleV handle is detached endwiseifrom the key-nut it, may be sidewise applied thereto by slidingthe bushing 33 upon the key-nut 6 in the same manner. as illustrated in full lines in Fig. 4 of the drawing, with the handle-members collapsed so as to bel of substantially the same length as the razor-head,

whereby the razor; parts occupy a minimum. of

ofa bore adaptedtoslidably receive said connection-element endwise of the handle, said handle being provided intermediate its ends with a bore transverse to the end bore ofthe handle adapted to slidably receive said connection-element side- Wise of the handle, and means for detachably retaining said handle upon said connection-element in either position of the handle thereupon.

2. A safety-razor comprising separable bladeclamping members, a threaded stud projecting from one of said members, a connection-element threaded upon said stud to effect blade-clamping relationshipof said members, and a handle provided with bores disposed transversely of each other to slidingly receive said connection-element in relatively transverse positions of said handle.

- 3. A safety-razor comprising separable bladeclamping members, means for bringing said members into blade clamping relationship including a longitudinally slotted connection-element threaded upon one of said members into engagement with the other member, and a handle provided with bores disposed transversely of each other, said bores being of suitable diameter to frictionally receive the slotted end of said connection-element in relatively transverse positions of said handle.

4. Asafety-razor comprising separable bladeclamping members, means for effecting bladeclamping relationship. of said members including y va threaded stud projecting from one of said members, a connection-element threaded upon said stud having resilient handle-engaging means, and a handle provided with bores disposed transversely of each other adapted to frictionally receive said connection-element in relatively transverse positions of said handle.

5. A safety-razor comprising separable bladeclamping members, means for securing said members in blade-clamping relationship including a threaded stud projecting from one of said members, a slotted connection-element threaded upon said stud, and a handle detachably tted upon said connection-element having keying means coacting with the slot of said connectionelement to secure the latter against rotation relatively to said handle.

6. A safety-razor comprising separable bladeclamping members, means for securing said members in blade-clamping relationship including a threaded stud projecting from one of said members, a slotted connection-element threaded upon said stud, and a handle having in one end thereof a bore adapted to detachably receive said connection-element, a key-pin intersecting said handle bore in position to enter the slot of said connection-element, said handle having a bore intermediate its ends to receive said connectionelement in an inoperative position of the handle.

7. A safety-razor comprising separable bladeclamping members, means for securing said members in blade-clamping relationship including a threaded stud projecting from one of said members, a connection-element threaded upon said stud having a key-pin projecting peripherally therefrom, and a handle having a bore adapted to detachably receive said connection-element, said handle having means coacting with said keypin to restrain said connection-element against rotation relatively to said handle.

8. A safety-razor comprising separable bladeclamping members, means for securing said members in blade-clamping relationship including a threaded stud projecting from one of said members, a connection-element threaded upon said stud having opposed key-faces, and a handle having in one end thereof a bore adapted to detachably receive said connection-element, said handle bore being notched to provide opposed walls adapted to engage the key-faces of the connection-element to thereby restrain the latter against rotation relatively of the handle.

9. A safety-razor comprising separable bladeclamping members, means for securing said members in blade-clamping relationship including a threaded stud projecting from one of said members, a connection-element threaded upon said stud provided with a plurality of substantially lat key-faces, and a handle having in one end thereof a bore conforming in conguration with the key-faces of the connection-element and in size to slidably receive said connection element.

10. A safety-razor comprising separable bladeclamping members, means for securing said members in blade-clamping relationship including a threaded stud projecting from one ofsaid members, a connection-element threaded upon said stud, a tubular handle having an open end adapted to detachably receive said connection-element in an operative position of the handle, said handle being provided intermediate its ends with a bushing apertured transversely of the length of the handle to detachably receive said connectionelement in an inoperative position of the handle.

11. A safety-razor handle provided in one end thereof with a bore, and having a connectionelement threaded for attachment to a razorhead, said connection-element being detachably keyed to said handle within said bore for rotation in opposite directions of said connection-element with said handle.

12. A safety-razor handle providedv at one end with a razor-head connection-element detachably keyed to the handle for rotation therewith, said handle having intermediate its ends a bore adapted to slidably receive said connection-element.

13. A safety-razor comprising separable bladeclamping members, a threaded stud projecting from one of said members, a connection-element threaded upon said stud, a handle irictionally disposed in an operative position upon said connection-element to extend in a direction substantially normal to said blade-clamping members and for endwise sliding detachment from said connection-element, and keying means compelling unison rotation of said connection-element with the handle in said operative position thereof.

14. A safety-razor comprising separable bladeclamping members, means for eiecting bladeclamping relationship of said members including a threaded stud projecting from one of said members, a connection-element threaded upon said stud, a handle having one end thereof frictionally disposed upon said connection-element for sliding detachment of the handle endwise from the connection-element in a clamping-Y,

member securing position uponr said stud of the connection-element, and keying means compelling rotation of said connection-element with said handle upon rotation of the handle about its longitudinal axis.

l5. In combination, a razor handle, said handle having a stem formed with a diametral opening therein, aV blade-clamping member, a blade, and a guard-plate, said clamping member having a stud adapted to project into said opening in said stem and having resilient means at its extremity for frictionally engaging the walls of said opening thereby frictionally to hold said guard-plate, blade, and clamping member upon said stem.

16. A safety-razorcomprising separable bladeclamping members, a threaded stud projecting from one of said members to effect blade-clamping relationship of said members, a connectionelement carried by said stud, and a handle provided with bores disposed transversely of each other to slidingly receive said connection-element in relatively transverse positions of said handle.

17. In a collapsible safety-razor structure, the

combination of a tubular housing having one open end with a closure plug adapted to be secured in said open end, said closure plug forming part of a handle extending into said tubular housing, said handle having a transversely extending bore, a razor head assembly having a shank for attachment to said handle, said shank extending into said transversely extending bore with the major axis of the head assembly extending longitudinally of the handle, and a connection element for gripping said shank and holding the parts. in the last mentioned position, said connection element comprising a spring collar arranged in said transverse bore and having an inwardly extending resilient nger for engaging said shank.

' JOHN D. KARLE. 

